Bentleigh look to make FFA Cup history against Adelaide

John Anastasiadis and his Bentleigh Greens team have been here before.

But this time, the coach is adamant that the experience of being in an FFA Cup semi-final against a former A-League champion will not overawe his team as it seeks to make history by becoming the first non A-League club to make the Cup final.

Coach John Anastasiadis (far left) and his Bentleigh Greens celebrate making the semis.Credit:AAP

In the inaugural FFA Cup of 2014 the team from Melbourne's south east also battled through to reach the last four where they encountered Perth Glory.

Bentleigh gave a good account of themselves but were eventually worn down by Glory's superior fitness and technique. The NPL Victoria team was at the end of a gruelling league season while the West Australians were fit and sharp at the beginning of the A-League.

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Now, says Anastasiadis, the Greens are smarter and more worldly and have a much better idea of how to cope against better-credentialled opposition.

''It's not going to be easy, of course, Adelaide is a very good team.

''But we are fit and have rested now since the quarter-final win over Heidelberg.

''That game was nine days before this semi-final, but the boys have had several training sessions since. More than just being fit and healthy they are mentally prepared and ready to take on an A-League team.''

Still, Anastasiadis knows his side cannot afford to give the Reds time and space on the ball.

He is also fearful of the damage that Adelaide could inflict from set pieces through the likes of Spanish midfielder Isaias or the former Netherlands-based winger Craig Goodwin.

''Football is a game where you can have most of the possession but not score and then be vulnerable from free kicks and corners.

''We have to be very wary of what they can do. There is some excellent quality to their delivery and we cannot affort to give them opportunities from close to goal.''

For the coach and the club, reaching a Cup final would be a crowning achievement.

''We came close in that first season but Glory were too strong. But we have learned a lot since then and we can take that knowledge into this game.

''It's in front of our own fans and we need to use that home ground advantage.''

Should Bentleigh get through they would face the winner of the Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers semi-final at the end of October.

The players had agreed to go on an end-of-season trip to Bali, a visit that has already been rescheduled because of the Cup run.

If they get to the final Anastasiadis says he will let his team have a week off - but they have to come back in good shape.